Pad means for ironing apparatus



Oct. 6, 1964 D. D. MAZZOLLA PAD MEANS FOR IRONING APPARATUS Filed July 9, 1962 I BY 21 5 .4;

III/IIII/III/I/II/l/I/IA INVENTOR. DAN D. M42201.

ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,151,408 PAD MEANS F03 ERONENG APPARATUS Dan l). Mezzolla, 2464 Raieigh Drive, York, Pa. Filed July 9, 1962, Ser. No. 293,349 2 Claims. (ill. 38-66) This invention relates to improvements particularly in pad means for ironing apparatus, it being understood that the term ironing apparatus shall include such apparatus as is intended for both ironing and/or pressing material of different kinds and particularly fabric material comprising articles of clothing, bed linens, towels, table cloths, and the like.

In various kinds of ironing apparatus, there usually are at least two relatively movable members which characteristically can be termed pressure members. In certain types of ironing machines and particularly commercial type ironing machines employed in laundries and the like, there is a heated stationary surface over which the material to be pressed or ironed is passed slidably, the same being moved by a cylindrical roll which engages one surface of the material to be ironed or pressed and moves it as a foresaid relative to said heated surface. Such rolls usually are covered appropriately, especially to provide frictional engagement with the material to be ironed or pressed and thereby insure movement of the same relative to said heated ironing surface, the latter usually being of a smooth nature and uncovered.

In so-called pressing machines, there usually is a stationary buck member which is somewhat similar to a conventional ironing board except that it usually is curved transversely. This pressing member is heated by means of steam or otherwise and usually is covered by a suitable felted, resilient pad construction through which the steam may pass to the material or garments being pressed. This pad often becomes moist, however, and this permits packing of the felted material and decreases the resiliency. Movable relative to this board member is an upper press ing head which is moved in pressing relationship against the upper surface of the buck member, the head also being heated by means of steam or the like and the same also is provided with a felt pad and an appropriate cover of fabric or the like extending over the pad.

The bwic structures of the ironing rolls in a commercial type ironer for example, and the buck and head members in a pressing machine usually are made from steel or iron and these are subject to rusting. Particularly in view of the fact that compressible pad means formed from such material as compressed hair, felt, asbestos, steel wool or the like is placed directly against such roll or buck and head surfaces and generally is covered by appropriate fabric or woven asbestos sheet material which directly engages the item being ironed or pressed, and the further fact that steam generally is used as a heating medium in the ironing apparatus, it readily can be visualized that when such steam passes through such pads and covers, a certain amount of moisture will condense within the pads, especially when operation upon the ironing apparatus is stopped and the heat decreases to a range wherein condensation can take place. Residual moisture within the pads then reacts with the iron or steel base structures of the pressure members in the ironing or pressing apparatus, causing the same to rust.

The outermost covers or cover sheets which usually are employed in ironing or pressing apparatus of the type described require replacement periodically and replacement of the resilient pad immediately beneath said cover and adjacent the pressure member of the ironing or pressing apparatus likewise requires replacement from time to time. When this occurs and especially when replacement of the resilient pad occurs, the base surface of the pressing ice member is exposed and invariably is covered with rust to various extents.

In efficient operation of apparatus of this type, it is best that such rust be removed before placing new pads or covers upon such pressure members. This is a time con suming and dirty job and also one which frequently is shunned because of this situation. Frequently, the rust is either not removed at all or is not removed thoroughly and any substantial amount of rust on such pressure members in apparatus of this type will result in decreased efficiency in the heating of the member. Also, under certain circumstances, the rust actually will penetrate the pad and cover and be transferred to the item being pressed, such as an article of clothing, fabric flat piece or the like.

Still another detrimental aspect in the current use of conventional pads and covers of the type referred to above resides in the fact that much of the heat required to operate the apparatus is transferred to the base pressure members themselves and this heat serves no useful purpose in an ironing or pressing function per se. Especially when the pressure members referred to are relatively large and massive, such as the rolls in commercial type ironing machines wherein the rolls frequently are as much as 12 inches in diameter and 10 feet long and the Wall thickness is of the order of between A1 and /2 inch, it can be seen that a very substantial amount of heat can be and is absorbed by the base pressure members, notwithstanding the fact that this heat serves no substantial useful purpose and, therefore, principally is wasted.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide improvements in ironing apparatus comprising pad means covering the operative surface of at least one of the pressure members of ironing or pressing apparatus, said pad means including a base layer of reflective material such as a relatively thin sheet or layer of aluminum which is disposed directly against the operative surface of said pressure member. This reflective layer is covered by a resilient pad overlying the base sheet, whereby the operative surface of pressure member is protected against corrosion from any moisture accumulating in the resilient pad and, an additional improvement comprises the fact that said base layer, being reflective, redirects any heat to which the pressure member is subjected from the opposite pressure member away from the first mentioned pressure member so as to cause it to pass back through the resilient pad and onto the operative pressing surface of the resilient pad carried by said first mentioned pressure member, thereby minimizing the consumption of heat by the ironing or pressing apparatus with which the invention is used.

Still another object of the present invention is to utilize woven metallic cloth, preferably of a fine mesh to provide a relatively smooth surface, as an outer flexible cover for the resilient pad disposed directly against the reflective base layer on the pressure member, said metallic and flexible nature of the outer cover rendering the same capable of long life and high durability while it simultaneously maintains the resilient pad in operative position against the base layer upon the pressure member, thus resulting in substantial economies due to the lack of need of frequent replacement of the exterior cover for the conventional pad on pressing members or ironing and pressing machines.

A further object is to provide various refinements and improvements especially for securing the aforementioned reflective base layer to the pressure member of ironing and pressing apparatus, as well as for securing the resilient pad and exterior cover means therefor in operative position upon the pressure member of the ironing or pressing apparatus. 7

Details of the foregoing objects and of the invention, as well as other objects thereof,-are set forth in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing comprising a part thereof.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of an exemplary type of commercial ironing machine to which the present invention is applicable, the intermediate portion of the machine being omitted to foreshorten the view thereof.

FIG. 2 is an end view of one of the exemplary ironing rolls of the ironing machine shown in FIG. 1 and illustrated on a slightly larger scale.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of one end of the exemplary ironing roll shown in PEG. 2 and partly illustrated in vertical section to show details of construction.

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the exemplary ironing roll shown in FIG. 2 but illustrated in a some what expanded manner showing partially uncoiled convolutions of the base layer, resilient pad, and exterior cover contemplated for use in connection with the present invention. A

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of the exemplary ironing roll shown in the preceding figures, portions of the ends of the various convolutions of covering layers, pads and sheets respectively being progressively broken away to show details of fastening means, overlapping structure and the like.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of one end of the exemplary ironing roll shown in the preceding figures and illustrating a preferred means of securing the resilient pad means to the base cylinder comprising the exemplary ironing roll.

One type of ironing apparatus to which the present invention pertains is a commercial ironing machine in of which an exemplary type is illustrated fragmentarily in FIG. 1. Essentially, this machine comprises a hollow steam chest 12 which has concaved portions on the upper surface thereof within which ironing rolls 14 revolve upon relatively fixed axes. The rolls are driven by suitable mechanism, not illustrated in detail in this figure for purposes of keeping the illustration simple. Suitable endless belts or webs 16 and 18 are disposed around appropriate guide rolls and are driven so as to receive pieces of flatwork and the like, for example, fed from the feed apron 20 for passage successively between the various ironing rolls and the corrugated upper surface of the heating steam chest 12. Usually, the rolls 14 are not supplied with heat but nevertheless become heated as a result of the ambient heat migrating from the pieces being ironed and the steam chest 12 itself.

The ironing rolls 14 usually are of substantial size, such as in the vicinity of to 12 inches or more in diameter, and anywhere from 100 inches to 120 inches long. The exemplary structure of one of the ironing rolls 14 is shown fragmentarily in FIG. 3, wherein it will be seen that the roll primarily comprises a steel cylinder 22, having anywhere between 4 inch and /2 inch wall thickness, and the opposite ends of the cylinder 22 are fitted with end plates 24 which are connected by a continuous weldment 26 to the ends of the cylinder 22. Coaxially of each end plate 24 is a stub shaft 23 which is either integral with the end plate 24 to which it is connected or it may be secured appropriately by welding or the like thereto. This structure therefore comprises the basic construction of commonly used ironing rolls in commercial ironing machines.

In conventional ironing machines, the ironing rolls 14 are covered directly with a compressible pad formed from such suitable material as hair, wool felt, cotton felt, steel wool, or the like, and this is then covered with a somewhat more wear-resistant material such as a sheet of impregnated woven asbestos, cotton duck, or the like. Covering material of cotton duck usually has a relatively short life, due particularly to the relatively high temperatures sustained in an ironing machine of this type, and impregnated woven asbestos covers usually last only a, few months.

In operating an ironing machine of the type referred to and especially one which utilizes ironing rolls 14 that are covered with the resilient pads which directly engage the steel cylinder base of the rolls, and notwithstanding the fact that covers of the type described are placed over the resilient pad, the damp pieces of laundry which directly engage the covers of the rolls while being moved over the undulating upper ironing surface of the steam chest 12 will generate a certain amount of steam which passes through the covers and into the compressible pad of the ironing rolls 14. This steam has two detrimental effects. One of these is that it tends to rust the outer surfaces of the base cylinder 22 and the other is that the base cylinder 22 absorbs such heat and such absorption produces no useful result, whereby said heat is wasted.

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the base cylinder 22 of the ironing roll 14, which actually comprises a pressure member in an ironing machine of the type with which it is employed, is movable relative to the opposite pressure member comprising steam chest 12. The pressure member 14 however in this particular type of ironing apparatus, is provided with a reflective layer 36 which, in accordance with the specific illustration shown herein, comprises a sheet of reflective aluminum. However, while aluminum foil or thin sheeting of appropriate thickness is highly suitable for purposes of providing such reflective surface, it is to be understood that other types of preferably thin, reflective metal foil or sheets are suitable for this same purpose, such as copper, bronze and the like.

The reflective layer or sheet 30 preferably is mounted directly and firmly in engagement with the outer surface of the base tube 22 of each of the ironing rolls 14. One suitable means of securing the reflective layer 30 to the base tube 22 comprises, as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a series of rivets 32 which are driven through a row of holes which are first drilled into the base cylinder 22, the shanks of the rivets 32 being very slightly larger than the diameter of the holes, whereby ready frictional engagement between the rivets and the walls defining the holes takes place.

After securing the leading edge of the sheet of aluminum, for example, comprising the reflective layer 3%, by such row of rivets 32, said sheet is coiled around the base roll 22 and the length of the sheet is such that the trailing end thereof preferably slightly overlaps the leading edge of the sheet, somewhat as in the manner shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Said trailing end of the sheet is at least temporarily secured in operative position over the leading edge thereof by a second row of rivets 34.

In the preferred application of the rivets 34 to the trailing end of the aluminum sheet 39, said trailing end of the sheeting is formed with short slots 34, see FIG. 5, extending somewhat circumferentially or enlarged holes, whereby expansion and contraction of the reflective layer 3t) comprising the exemplary aluminum sheet may take place and thereby not cause the sheet to experience internal stresses which ultimately could lead to distortion and disintegration, especially in view of the fact that said sheet will be subjected to extreme ranges of heat between conditions as when the ironing machine is cold and when the same achieves its maximum heat which conceivably can be of the order of 306 F. or higher.

It will be understood of course that the rivets 34 are driven into a row of prepared holes in the base cylinder 22 of the same nature as the holes into which the rivets 32 are driven. At least the outer surface of the reflective layer 30 preferably is quite glossy, thereby to afford maximum reflection of heat directed thereagainst from the opposite pressure member 12 of the ironer for example.

Applied directly over the reflective layer 30 is a resilicnt pad 36 which, preferably, is of some durable material such as asbestos felt, steel wool or the like. This pad is as long in one direction as the roll 14, while circumferentially, the pad is sufliciently long that it will form substantially only a single convolution and the trailing and leading edges thereof preferably are somewhat tapered or feathered so as to not form any objectionable crease or ridge. The leading edge of the pad 36 is provided with a series of transversely spaced holes respectively capable of being fitted over the heads of a third row of rivets 38. Where these rivets extend through the reflective layer 30, the latter is provided with short slots extending circumferentially so as readily to permit expansion and contraction of the layer during operation of the ironing apparatus.

The preferred method of securing the leading edge of the resilient pad 36 to the rivets 38 is by the very useful expedient of a strand of preferably corrosion-resistant Wire 40 being wound for at least one convolution around the stem of each rivet 38 directly beneath the head thereof and said Wire extends from one rivet to the next, so as to provide effective securing means to connect said leading edge of the resilient pad 3G to the base cylinder 22., as best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The trailing edge 42 of the resilient pad 36 slightly overlaps the securing wire 49. Said trailing edge also is secured, such as by a row or series of staples 44, or the like to the leading edge of a flexible outer cover 46 which, in accordance with the preferred principles of the present invention, comprises corrosion-resistant woven wire mesh or cloth which should be sufficiently ductile that it will withstand at least continuous slight flexing for long periods of time without fracture or rupture. Bronze, copper, and certain types of stainless steel of appropriate formulation fulfill this requirement. Also, the Wire from which the mesh is Woven is preferably quite fine and the weave also preferably is relatively fine so as to provide a relatively smooth surface for ironing or pressing. Another type of woven fabric highly suitable for such outer cover sheet is one woven from both aluminum and asbestos threads or filaments, such fabric affording durability, a smooth surface, and also being highly resistant to substantial ranges of heat.

In practice, the flexible outer cover 46 is as long in one direction as the length of the ironing rolls 14, while in the circumferential direction, said cover sheet preferably is a little more than enough to make a complete convolution and attord a reasonable overlapping flap of a few inches, as shown in exemplary manner in FIGS. 4 and 5, so as completely to cover the staples 44. The trailing edge of the outer cover 46 may be secured operatively over the resilient pad 36 by any suitable means such, for example, as typing wires 48 or the like which may be extended through the edges of the underlying portion of the cover sheet, adjacent the leading edge of the same, which cover sheet preferably extends at least to the end of the base cylinder 22 in each of the ironing rolls 14.

In view of the fact that the ironing rolls 14 revolve unidireotionally in the direction of the exemplary arrows shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, it will be seen that it is not necessary to firmly fix the trailing end of the outer cover sheet 45 relative to the base cylinder 22 and the other layers and sheets disposed thereon, for example, other than at the opposite ends of the trailing end of the cover sheet 46. Such unidirectional rotation of the entire composite roll serves to keep the various convolutions of layers and sheets in the desired assembled relationship, as illustrated in exemplary manner for example in FIG. 5 and also, in somewhat expanded relationship, in FIG. 4, it being understood that FIG. 4 primarily is for illustrative purposes only to afford an understanding of the manner in which the various ends of the several concentric convolutions of layers and sheets are secured to each other.

Inasmuch as all of the material comprising the composite covering 59 for the base cylinder 22 is of durable and non-corrosive nature, as well as highly resistant to substantial ranges of heat, it will be seen that the illustrated and described structure of said composite covering not only serves effectively to protect the exterior 6 a surface of the steel base cylinder 22 but also to economize on the operating heat required by the ironing machine as much as possible due to the highly reflective layer 30 directly on the exterior of the base cylinder 22 reversing the direction of heat passing from the steam chest 12 through the resilient pad 36 and causes the same to be directed back toward the outermost surface of the composite cover 58), directly onto the item being ironed, thereby economizing in heat.

While the foregoing description pertains specifically to an ironing machine employingan ironing roll, it is to be understood that the present invention, comprising the composite covering and/ or its various elements, equally is applicable to ironing apparatus of the type commonly referred to as a pressing machine which employs a sta tionary board-like buck upon which a composite covering comprising the reflective layer 30, resilient pad 36, and flexible outer cover 46 may be applied so as to extend entirely across the buck of the pressing machine and preferably cover the complete area thereof. In the event heat is to be applied to the buck for passage to the outer surface of the composite cover when afixed to said buck, the heat may be introduced to the composite covering through appropriate spaced holes such as those commonly formed in commercial bucks of pressing machines. Such holes will coincide with suitable holes formed in the reflective layer 30 in order that the steam or other form of heat may penetrate the resilient pad 36 and also extend through the flexible outer cover 46 in order that heat may be directly applied to the item or garment being pressed upon the pressing machine.

The principal advantages of the present invention like- Wise can be applied to pressing machines in that the heat which principally is utilized in pressing operations upon a pressing machine mainly is introduced to the work piece or garment through the upper, movable head. Such heat penetrates the covering 011 the lower, stationary ironing buck or at least any covering thereon. In accordance with the principles of the present invention, this heat, which usually is produced by steam, will penetrate not only the work piece or garment being pressed, but also will penetrate at least the flexible outer cover and resilient pad of the composite covering on said ironing board. However, the reflective layer 30 will act as a baffle for such heat and reflect the same backward toward the work piece or garments being pressed, thereby not only conserving heat but also preventing the base members of the ironing head and buck, which usually are formed from steel, from becoming rusted to any appreciable extent.

While the invention has been described and illustrated in its several preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the precise details herein illustrated and described since the same may be carried out in other ways falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. Ironing and pressing apparatus comprising an ironing roll supported for rotation about its axis to engage articles to be ironed or pressed relative to another member, said ironing roll having a highly reflective metallic sheet fixedly fastened at one end directly to said roll and wrapped around said roll directly in contact therewith and the opposite end of said sheet overlapping the fixed end thereof, means fastening the opposite end of said sheet to said roll for movement circumferentially in accordance with expansion and contraction thereof while maintaining the sheet in close contact with said roll, a resilient pad layer extending closely around said reflective sheet for at least one convolution, means fastening the inner end of said pad to said roll, an outer covering of corrosion-resistant closely woven wire cloth connected at one end to the outer end of said pad and wrapped therearound in close conformity thereto, and means securing the outer end of said wire cloth covering against separation from said roll, whereby heat absorbed by said pad is reflected radially outward therefrom by said reflective metallic sheet and said pad remains resilient and becomes free from moisture after use due to evaporation of accumulated moisture therein by said reflected heat.

2. The ironing and pressing apparatus of claim 1 in which said reflective metallic sheet is sheet aluminum impervious to moisture, said woven wire cloth covering is woven from stainless steel Wire, and said wire cloth covering is secured at the outer edges of the outer end thereof relative to said roll to maintain said covering in operative position thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Johnson July 15, 1941 John Apr. 7, 1942 Reiss et al Dec. 13, 1949 Loss et a1 Apr. 11, 1950 Obitz Sept. 2, 1952 Andersen May 22, 1962 Willingham July 16, 1963 

1. IRONING AND PRESSING APPARATUS COMPRISING AN IRONING ROLL SUPPORTED FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS AXIS TO ENGAGE ARTICLES TO BE IRONED OR PRESSED RELATIVE TO ANOTHER MEMBER, SAID IRONING ROLL HAVING A HIGHLY REFLECTIVE METALLIC SHEET FIXEDLY FASTENED AT ONE END DIRECTLY TO SAID ROLL AND WRAPPED AROUND SAID ROLL DIRECTLY IN CONTACT THEREWITH AND THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SHEET OVERLAPPING THE FIXED END THEREOF, MEANS FASTENING THE OPPOSITE END OF SAID SHEET TO SAID ROLL FOR MOVEMENT CIRCUMFERENTIALLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXPANSION AND CONTRACTION THEREOF WHILE MAINTAINING THE SHEET IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SAID ROLL, A RESILIENT PAD LAYER EXTENDING CLOSELY AROUND SAID REFLECTIVE SHEET FOR AT LEAST ONE CONVOLUTION, MEANS FASTENING THE INNER END OF SAID PAD TO SAID ROLL, AN OUTER COVERING OF CORROSION-RESISTANT CLOSELY WOVEN WIRE CLOTH CONNECTED AT ONE END TO THE OUTER END OF SAID PAD AND WRAPPED THEREAROUND IN CLOSE CONFORMITY THERETO, AND MEANS SECURING THE OUTER END OF SAID WIRE CLOTH COVERING AGAINST SEPARATION FROM SAID ROLL, WHEREBY HEAT ABSORBED BY SAID PAD IS REFLECTED RADIALLY OUTWARD THEREFROM BY SAID REFLECTIVE METALLIC SHEET AND SAID PAD REMAINS RESILIENT AND BECOMES FREE FROM MOISTURE AFTER USE DUE TO EVAPORATION OF ACCUMULATED MOISTURE THEREIN BY SAID REFLECTED HEAT. 